Senior Legal Assistant

Seattle Public Schools•John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides paralegal assistance to the General Counsel and other attorneys. Duties are divided between traditional paralegal work and serving as a public records officer under the Washington Public Records Act. This is the first level in a two-position paralegal career progression; advancement to the second level requires broad skills across the full range of assigned duties. The role is full-time and in person, with the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence as its primary work location. The position supports public-records and FERPA requests, litigation discovery and investigations, and special education legal matters. It also provides general legal and administrative support to attorneys, including preparing hearing and trial materials, organizing information, coordinating payments and invoices, and communicating with District staff, outside counsel, the public, and stakeholders.

Requirements

Three years of direct experience in the assigned areas; a post-graduate law degree (JD or LLB) may substitute for two years of experience.
Substantive knowledge and expertise in Special Education Law.
A bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in pre-law, business, public administration, or a related field that includes research and analysis, or equivalent work experience substituted year for year, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of investigative techniques and legal research materials.
Knowledge of District organization, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of city, state, and federal laws related to public school districts, including IDEA and FERPA.
Ability to electronically file legal pleadings in federal and state courts and with state agencies and departments.
Ability to use internet search techniques.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with District employees, outside counsel, and the public.
Ability to gather and analyze data and make recommendations.
Ability to prioritize and organize work.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with District staff and the public in a diverse and inclusive environment.
Ability to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of information.
Criminal Justice fingerprint and background check clearance.

Nice To Haves

Paralegal/Legal Assistant degree or certificate.
Washington State Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

Maintain current knowledge of the Washington Public Records Act, FERPA, court rules, and applicable laws and case law.
Protect the confidentiality and integrity of information.
Assist with searches and staff outreach for Public Records Act requests.
Review documents for responsiveness, privilege, confidentiality, FERPA considerations, and statutory exemptions.
Coordinate, gather, and review student education records in response to FERPA requests.
Lead efforts to obtain documents for discovery requests in consultation with and at the direction of outside legal counsel.
Draft legal letters, documents, pleadings, and objections; coordinate responses to interrogatories and requests for production; and monitor court-ordered timelines.
Coordinate with outside counsel and investigators as necessary.
Coordinate communications, interviews, meetings, and document collection between District staff and outside counsel.
Draft and issue litigation hold requests to District staff.
Track and maintain a log of special education legal matters and settlements.
Assist with responses to Special Education Community Complaints, OSPI investigations, and U.S. Department of Education complaints.
Compile and organize information, agendas, and other materials for meetings, including the Special Education Legal Roundtable.
Serve as paralegal/legal assistant to the General Counsel and other attorneys.
Receive and screen telephone calls, visitors, and correspondence; respond to inquiries or refer them to appropriate departments.
Prepare materials for trials, arbitrations, and personnel hearings.
Compile and organize information and materials for attorneys’ meetings.
Prepare litigation reports and arbitration summaries.
Coordinate claim and lawsuit settlement payments.
Process law firm invoices as assigned.
Assist with drafting letters of restriction for District schools and programs.
Prepare hearing documents and assist with issuing decision letters as needed.
Prioritize and schedule matters requiring an attorney’s attention.
Take meeting minutes when necessary.
Communicate verbally and in writing with clients, the public, or stakeholders as necessary to perform essential duties.
Perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.